Award

AUGUST 2019 | 51 Boréal French Immersion Public School PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DAVID ELLIS ARCHITECT INC. innovative spaces that invite readers or device users to cozy up inside – com- plete with lighting and the ability to charge devices," notes Reece. To bring the building's old shell and systems up-to-date with its interior design, interior perimeter walls were ret- rofitted with a new insulated inner skin, vapour barriers were added, new wir- ing was run through the facility's walls, and a completely new power service was installed to feed the whole school. Providing updates to the building's mechanical systems brought the instal- lation of variable speed energy recovery ventilation systems throughout the school, with each classroom's heating individually controlled, explains Tim Janzen of MET Energy Systems. Carbon dioxide sensors were also installed in every classroom to auto- matically adjust a damper to provide the appropriate amount of air according to the number of people in each classroom. Eight high-efficiency condensing boilers provide hot water distribution for heating the majority of the school, while some of the ERVs also offer heating. "Because it was an existing building, we used a lot of smaller ele- ments that all go back to a main boiler plant to control it, rather than making holes in existing walls to bring in larger systems," says Janzen. The building's new plumbing system includes scheduled hot water heating to save energy when such services aren't needed, while the school's lighting also works to save on power. "There are individual classroom controls, includ- ing the latest and greatest in controls with daylight harvesting and occu- pancy sensors, as well as scene control," explains Janzen, noting that the outside parking lot lighting is also scheduled and on occupancy sensors. "As I reflect on this project as an educator, I have to say it was a great les- son," concludes Reece. "It taught us that we can make something old feel new, that a few unique ideas can transform a basic space into something innova- tive yet practical, that utilizing existing space [when feasible] can be cheaper than a new build, and that creating meaningful partnerships with the com- munity allows public assets to be used wisely, while renewing infrastructure. Overall, this was an A+ project!" A LOCATION 232 Northern Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario OWNER/DEVELOPER Algoma District School Board ARCHITECT david ELLIS architect inc. GENERAL CONTRACTOR SalDan Construction Group STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT Elliott Engineering MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT MET Energy Systems TOTAL SIZE 85,000 square feet TOTAL COST $17 million David Ellis.indd 1 2019-07-02 10:13 Henderson Metal Fabricating Co. Ltd. is a proud partner of the Boréal French Immersion Public School project! Serving Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Clients. www.hendersonmetal.ca • 705-949-7870 Henderson.indd 1 2019-07-23 8:00 Painting.indd 1 2019-07-22 2:51 PM

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